Happy Valley preview and tips: Wednesday, February 27

by Adam Cusworth

Racing at Happy ValleyImage: Getty

Wednesday racing in Hong Kong is at Happy Valley for an eight-race programme. Here is our preview of the meeting.

After riding six winners at Sha Tin last Sunday, Zac Purton can continue on from where he left off when he steers GENTRY (1) in the opening race. The seven-year-old got too far back in a slowly run race at his last start and was ok at his runs prior to that in higher grade. There should be enough pace in this for him to work into it and with the form hoop on board he can break through. A number of his rivals come out of the race won by Sweet Bean over 1800m three weeks ago, including ENJOYABLE SUCCESS (4), who made steady ground to finish runner-up in that race. LUCKY SHINY DAY (3) finished down the track but had little luck and was close in his runs prior. LUCKY STORM (8) is likely to roll forward and make his own luck. Include in the first four.

Selections: 1-4-3-8

The Class 4 gallopers line up over the 1800m journey and TAI SMART (5) looks well placed to notch up an overdue win. The six-year-old has finished close up at his last three and ran on from the back of the field to grab third behind Happy Warrior last time. Prior to that he led in a race with little speed. Vincent Ho may opt to push forward from barrier three. LE PANACHE (10) is another that has been very close without winning of late. He has finished in the top four at his last seven and with Joao Moreira on board he gets his chance. GOOD DAYS (8) will look to cross from barrier nine and comes into it if he can enjoy a cushy run, while KING'S MAN (3) drops in weight and shouldn't be too far away.

Selections: 5-10-8-3

The sprinters line up over the 1000m trip and TOM'S DRAGON (11) shapes as another solid contender for Moreira. The John Size-trained galloper was never really in the hunt after drawing barrier 12 last time but was a narrow third prior to that and should tuck in just behind them. The four-year-old has had five weeks in between runs and looked sharp in a recent trial. An interesting contender is FRUSTRATED (3), who ran on well at debut when placing 4th behind E Master on February 13 after drawing wide. He has drawn out again but should be an improver at his second career start. ORIENTAL ELITE (6) resumes off a 35-week break but creates interest with Purton on board. He was a strong winner at the track and distance at the end of last season and has placed in two trials. Monitor betting moves. THOU SHALL SING (1) has drawn out but is classy and can feature at the business end.

Selections: 11-3-6-1

After notching up an impressive win here on February 13, WAH MAY PRINCESS (6) can go on with the job when he steps out in Race 4. The Tony Cruz-trained galloper had previously produced a series of unlucky performances but made his own luck last time when leading all the way and digging deep to win by over a length from Gracious Ryder. He may be able to dictate again from barrier five with Karis Teetan on board. An each-way contender is NICE KICK (9), who wasn't quite at his best last time but can go very close if he runs up to his performances prior to that. EXCEPTIONAL DESIRE (3) is another last-start winner and is in the mix if he can overcome the wide gate. BAND OF BROTHERS (4) makes his debut and has produced some solid trial performances.

Selections: 6-9-3-4

Race 5 shapes as an open betting race and one at the each-way odds that can feature is MY WINNER (6), who comes off a fourth placing behind Ever Laugh after travelling wide throughout. The four-year-old finished third at his four runs prior to that and will benefit from the drop in weight. The danger might be SPINNING DANCE (12), who has won his last two. Both of those have been at Class 5 level but he has overcome difficulties in those and is lightly weighted. He jumps from barrier four for Regan Bayliss. HEROIC GURU (9) has not won in almost three years but improved to finish runner-up last time and is in the mix. CLEAR CHOICE (5) rises in weight after winning here on February 16 but should be thereabouts again.

Selections: 6-12-9-5

We rise to Class 3 level and it is BLITZING (7) that should be hard to beat. The Tony Cruz-trained galloper has been posted out wide at his last two, finishing a narrow third here on January 16 before finishing fourth at Sha Tin at his most recent. The consistent performer should get the breaks this time around after drawing barrier two and is the one they have to run down. POWERMAX (6) finished ahead of Blitzing on Jan 16 and just needs to overcome the wide draw to be a factor again. The six-year-old has a good record at the track and trip and represents value at the each-way odds. SHIMMER AND SHINE (9) makes his Happy Valley debut and comes off a runner-up performance behind the impressive Noble De Love on February 10. TELECOM PUMA (1) is a former Kiwi that has been trialling well and will be ridden by the 3kg claiming apprentice, Victor Wong.

Selections: 7-6-9-1

This shapes as a competitive affair and a couple of the key chances are HARMONY HERO (1) and BRAVE LEGEND (4). That pair fought out the placings behind Happy Dragon on February 13. On that occasion, Brave Legend settled well back before closing off solid to grab second, while Harmony Hero was better than midfield before sticking on late. The former Aussie made an impression last season and looks to have recaptured some of his form. From barrier three he may be the one to lean to in a race that lacks huge amounts of speed. DEFINING MOMENT (9) is another former Aussie that is beginning to measure up and is worth including with Purton on board. He will get back. PING HAI TREASURE (11) isn't in the best of form but is one of few that could go forward and is worth including.

Selections: 1-4-9-11

The final event of the night is another Class 3 and it is GAMECHANGERS (2) that should be hard to beat. Another for the Size/Moreira combination, the lightly raced six-year-old was a strong winner here two starts back before just missing out behind Key Witness at his latest. He races well at the track and distance and with even luck he can take this out. A lightweight contender to consider is SPLIT OF A SECOND (12), who won two on end over the 1200m at Happy Valley before running 3rd to Super Lucky on January 9. He rises in grade and was close in a recent trial behind Tom's Dragon. AMBITIOUS HEART (6) should be prominent early on and will settle in the first few. He notched up a good win over the handy Country Star here four starts ago and that is good enough for this. NAVAS (8) is a last start winner at Class 4 level but his previous runs in this grade were solid.